The Gala Foundation will be recognizing outstanding individuals in the fields of public service and promoting understanding and mutual respect between the area’s many diverse groups through Gala Awards program which are to be awarded to community members in the coming month.
The Gala Award is given annually to two community members who endeavored to establish communication, promote equality and display leadership in the respective family and community. The Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to a greater environment of peace and understanding in the family and the community that they serve, a recent Gala statement said.
The Gala Awards committee chooses one Gala Member that has best exemplified the furthering of understanding in the community.
According to the Gala Award's nomination criteria, individuals must display “visible and continuing leadership in one or more of the following areas: education, religion, civil rights, or the provision of significant social services in the family and the community that they serve.” This year’s Award will be presented in the 40th Annual Gathering of the M.S.B. in New York City“The variety of applicants and nominations we receive is really across the board,” declared Gala Officials.
The winners will be announced and the Awards presented in New York or New Jersey on December 24th, 2009 and will be showcased on all Gala Web-sites., The Gala Awards recognizes individuals who have displayed a dedication to the development of public policy through service and a commitment to the longstanding ideals and principles of our combined family and friends, the recent Gala statement said.
According to the statement, the Gala Award was created by the Gala Foundation in 1986 to honor the memory and work all the legendary Family Icons that have now passed away and have gone to their reward and our Lord. All of our past Elders have all received the prestigious Gala Award.“The focus of the Award is recognizing individuals who follow in the same vein as Lucas Maldonado in 1997, Felicita, M Serrano in 1985, Francisco Serrano in 1986, Nieves Bosch in 1986, Hilda Bosch in 1990, Maria Balsera in 1995, and Victor Ortiz in 1994,” said Noel Serrano, Director of the Gala Foundation “The Gala Awards recognizes someone who has contributed to our Family Organization, being productive and promoting a noble and positive inspiration to our cause, their family, and their community.”
He added Gala's commitment to civility and respecting the dignity of all individuals. Gala recipients serves as a role model for all members of the Gala Foundation.
Recipients of the Award have also displayed leadership in positively impacting the greater Gala community while maintaining respect through constructive and civil public debate in all matters related to the broader family and community that they serve.. The recipient of this Award should act and work in a manner consistent with the life and accomplishments of our departed Elders, our family Pillars, the statement said.
The selection committee is comprised of five individuals appointed by the Gala Foundation. The committee includes one member or representative from the Maldonado, Serrano and Bosch families, a member of the Gala Staff. Noel is working to broaden the number of Gala Recipients for the future and will be in ongoing meetings to develop further criterias for all future Gala Award Winners.
The Gala Award is given annually to two community members who endeavored to establish communication, promote equality and display leadership in the respective family and community. The Award recognizes individuals who have contributed to a greater environment of peace and understanding in the family and the community that they serve, a recent Gala statement said.
The Gala Awards committee chooses one Gala Member that has best exemplified the furthering of understanding in the community.
According to the Gala Award's nomination criteria, individuals must display “visible and continuing leadership in one or more of the following areas: education, religion, civil rights, or the provision of significant social services in the family and the community that they serve.” This year’s Award will be presented in the 40th Annual Gathering of the M.S.B. in New York City“The variety of applicants and nominations we receive is really across the board,” declared Gala Officials.
The winners will be announced and the Awards presented in New York or New Jersey on December 24th, 2009 and will be showcased on all Gala Web-sites., The Gala Awards recognizes individuals who have displayed a dedication to the development of public policy through service and a commitment to the longstanding ideals and principles of our combined family and friends, the recent Gala statement said.
According to the statement, the Gala Award was created by the Gala Foundation in 1986 to honor the memory and work all the legendary Family Icons that have now passed away and have gone to their reward and our Lord. All of our past Elders have all received the prestigious Gala Award.“The focus of the Award is recognizing individuals who follow in the same vein as Lucas Maldonado in 1997, Felicita, M Serrano in 1985, Francisco Serrano in 1986, Nieves Bosch in 1986, Hilda Bosch in 1990, Maria Balsera in 1995, and Victor Ortiz in 1994,” said Noel Serrano, Director of the Gala Foundation “The Gala Awards recognizes someone who has contributed to our Family Organization, being productive and promoting a noble and positive inspiration to our cause, their family, and their community.”
He added Gala's commitment to civility and respecting the dignity of all individuals. Gala recipients serves as a role model for all members of the Gala Foundation.
Recipients of the Award have also displayed leadership in positively impacting the greater Gala community while maintaining respect through constructive and civil public debate in all matters related to the broader family and community that they serve.. The recipient of this Award should act and work in a manner consistent with the life and accomplishments of our departed Elders, our family Pillars, the statement said.
The selection committee is comprised of five individuals appointed by the Gala Foundation. The committee includes one member or representative from the Maldonado, Serrano and Bosch families, a member of the Gala Staff. Noel is working to broaden the number of Gala Recipients for the future and will be in ongoing meetings to develop further criterias for all future Gala Award Winners.
The Award is presented annually at the annual Christmas Gathering in the New York area.This year’s presentation will take place on Dec. 24, 2009.
THE GALA AWARDS OF THE PAST
The Gala Awards was created by Noel Serrano and Joaquin Maldonado for the Gala Foundation during the early Gatherings of the 1980s. Noel felt that an Award should be given to an exemplary figure that emerges from our Members. In the very early years, there was no such award given. Noel thought that there were so many, whose time had come to recognize some of these "Giants" within.In 1984, the sudden death of Boyie Mohammed, led Noel to present a special gift to the widow, Norma Mohammed, for her endurance in a very dark and painful time. In 1985, Felicita M. Serrano received a special recognition for her Legendary Example to her family.In 1986, it was the time for Francisco Serrano and Nieves Bosch to receive the Man of the Year and Woman of the Year for their respective roles within our Organization.In 1987, there were actually four presentations. Felicita M. Serrano received the first Posthumous Gala Award. Joaquin Maldonado finally received a much-deserved Lifetime Gala Award for his legendary Contribution to our family, for it was his vision that inspired all these family institutions that exist today. Noel Serrano was surprised when he received his own Gala Award. (Felicita's last act as the Secretary of the Gala Foundation, was to request that this Award be given)In 1988, Octavio Bosch, the strong Bosch veteran received the coveted award for his legendary example to the family. Frances S. Rosado won the 1888 Gala Award and it was presented by "President Reagan".In 1989 did not have a Gala Award winner due to a brief shut down of the Gala Foundation operations. It has been the only year that the institution halted operations due to personal reasons. Thank God that it was only a temporary shut down due to mitigating circumstances.In 1990, the Gala Awards was in full bloom and now it was Dear Hilda Bosch, the strong Bosch Matriarch who graciously received the Gala Award and was the only winner that year. One can recall that special moment, frozen in time, when all tears glistened as this precious woman of God came up to receive her due reward. Hilda was so choked up with emotion that Joaquin made a special prayer for her along with the rest of the family.. It was truly a memorable moment.In 1991, Clarita Maldonado joined the ranks of Gala Award recipients when she received her very own award or Recognition for all her hard work and example that advances the causes of the organization. Clarita is an enduring Institution in her own right. Joaquin has stated many times: "I could not do the things that I do without my faithful companion" Nivia B. Torres also won an award for that year and for the circumstance that were present at that time.In 1992, Joaquin Maldonado became the only living family member to receive the Gala Award two times. (Only the late Felicita M. Serrano received two Gala Awards but one was given posthumously in 1987) Gladys S. Morales joined the ranks in the Hall of Gala Award winners, for her life time example to her family.In 1993, the Gala Award went to Sarah Ortiz, for her Outstanding contribution to our family. Sarah joined the rank of the Family Elders within a year. the Award was shipped to Puerto Rico and was special delivered in time for Christmas Eve.In 1994, the award was presented to Victor Ortiz, the strong Ortiz Patriarch in Puerto Rico was elated when he received the prestigious award and was also included in the rank of Elders. Miriam B. Fuentes also received a much deserved Gala Award for her ongoing role and outstanding example for our family.In 1995 Maria Balsera Serrano won the Gala Award for her contribution to the Organization. This Award is ongoing and very special. The Gala Award is never given to just any one. It must and will be given to those who truly earn it. We congratulate all of these great family members who have been honored through the years and may this Institution serve to inspire to achieve great things in the Lord so that his blessing will enhance our every path. we all agree that the true award in life is to live an exemplary life and to inspire others to also live a productive and a progressive life in the Lord. that is our goal. That is the central policy of this enduring institution. may we always be able to recognize the unsung heroes in our growing family. If you would like to be a part of this and many projects that we have for all Gala members, please take a moment to contact us at ttinserrano@yahoo.com You are also welcome to nominate a candidate for the Gala Award. May we always learn from these Gala Award Winners! Many of them have gone on to receive their Higher Reward in Heaven, to be forever with Our Lord. They were the Best and the Brightest Lights amongst us. We shall continue to recognize and honor those that dwell with us and shine in their corner of the world. Help us determine who should be the next Gala Award Winner.
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